Enclosure size questions

Skulk01 · 03-09-14, 09:42 AM

I currently have a young kingsnake and plan on picking up a ball python at some point. The king is currently in an exoterra medium low 24x18x18 and he's still fairly small so should be good for a while.

My plan is to build a set of enclosures (1 for the king, 1 for a ball python, and 1 as a just in case I pick up a 3rd snake down the road) that can stack on top of each other.

Because I want them to stack I'd like them to all be of a uniform size. I'm thinking 24" deep 24" high (I know that probably seems taller than necessary but Ash has shown to be a bit of climber so I'd like to have some vertical space to work with). The part that I'm stuck on is the length. 36" would be ideal for placing in the house as I have several places that would accommodate that size perfectly, if I push it out to 48" I do run into some issues of where to put them, but that seems a more ideal length for the snakes.

Would a king and a ball python be ok in a 36x24x24 enclosure (with some shelves and/or branches for some room to move vertically) or is 48x24x24 the absolute minimum I should be looking at?

kwhitlock · 03-09-14, 09:48 AM

I would shoot for the 48x24 personally. Floor space would be more important then vertical for kings and a ball python.

**EL Ziggy** · 03-09-14, 09:57 AM

I dont think kings or bps require much climbing space but my kings do like to climb a little. Kings can grow to 5 feet or more so I think a 48x24x24 would be the better option. My yearling kings are in 40 gal breeder tanks now but I'm upgrading enclosures in a few months. Best wishes with your builds.

drumcrush · 03-09-14, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I dont think kings or bps require much climbing space but my kings do like to climb a little. Kings can grow to 5 feet or more so I think a 48x24x24 would be the better option. My yearling kings are in 40 gal breeder tanks now but I'm upgrading enclosures in a few months. Best wishes with your builds.

^^^ yep.

If you give them the option to climb, they will probably take it. My dads bp always climbs around and on top of his tree. My female Mbk I found basking on top of her tree the other day.

Lankyrob · 03-09-14, 06:23 PM

Would definitely go for a minimum of 48" for teh bp. I had mine in one and he used all the space available to him.

Mikoh4792 · 03-09-14, 06:28 PM

Try to go as big as you can. Size matters.

Lankyrob · 03-10-14, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Try to go as big as you can. Size matters.

Just don't tell my wife

Terranaut · 03-10-14, 08:14 AM

Go for the 48" as others have said. Also this way if you acquire a manufactured viv at any point it will fit your existing stack. But I would only go 16" for ball. It will reduce your cost and heating needs. My king climbs so added stuff to climb is a great idea.

MCB · 03-10-14, 08:25 AM

48" is fine just make sure there are several hides. Height is definitely a heating factor especially if using ceramics. I've ended up using 200w/250w in all my vivs as I find them easier to regulate and they aren't constantly being overworked, they might not last as long though.

sharthun · 03-10-14, 09:06 AM

I have 2 48x24x15 AP t10's and I agree 48x24(LxW) is a good all around size for medium to larger colubrids unless arboreal, then add some more height. I house my MBK and Black Milk snake in those.

Skulk01 · 03-10-14, 07:27 PM

Awesome, thanks everyone!